Chicago Blackhawks lawsuit: Ex-‘Black Aces’ player alleges 2010 sexual assault by former video coach

Chicago Blackhawks Organization Faces Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Abuse and Harassment

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The Allegations

• The Chicago Blackhawks organization is being sued for alleged sexual abuse and harassment of a former player during its 2009-2010 Stanley Cup season.
• The complaint alleges that former video coach Brad Aldrich “groomed, harassed, threatened and assaulted” the then-player, who was a member of the Blackhawks’ “Black Aces” – players from their minor-league team who practiced with the squad.
• The ex-player was not named and was referred to only as “John Doe” in the lawsuit.
• The suit also claims that the Blackhawks covered up the player’s complaint and prioritized their “Stanley Cup Championship aspirations” over the welfare of their players.

Legal Action and Response

• Local firm Romanucci & Blandin filed the civil suit in Cook County on Thursday.
• Attorneys representing the anonymous player are expected to hold a news conference on Monday to provide more details about the allegations.
• The Blackhawks released a statement, acknowledging the seriousness of workplace misconduct and organizational response, and highlighting their previous independent investigation into the events that occurred in 2010.

Previous Allegations and Investigation

• In 2010, another former “Black Ace,” Kyle Beach, accused Brad Aldrich of sexually assaulting him.
• Beach settled his lawsuit in 2021, and an independent investigation led to the resignation of top Blackhawks executives and a $2 million NHL fine against the team.
• The investigation revealed that the organization waited three weeks during the 2009-2010 season to address Beach’s allegations.

Impact and Support

• Beach’s decision to speak out about his experience encouraged others to come forward and take legal action.
• The former player who filed the current lawsuit may have been inspired by Beach’s actions.
• Aldrich, the former video coach, was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor in 2013 and is now a registered sex offender in Michigan.
• The Blackhawks’ general manager and president, Stan Bowman, resigned in 2021.

Public Reaction

• Some fans expressed disappointment and disillusionment upon learning about the allegations and the alleged cover-up by the Blackhawks organization.
• They believed that the team, which was once highly regarded, had let them down.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article discusses allegations of sexual abuse and harassment within the Chicago Blackhawks organization. These issues are directly related to SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The article also mentions a lawsuit filed against the Blackhawks for covering up the player’s complaint, indicating a lack of accountability and transparency within the organization. This connects to SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
• SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.
• SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
• SDG 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.

The article highlights allegations of sexual abuse and harassment against a former player, indicating a form of discrimination and violence against women within the organization. This aligns with the targets of SDG 5.1 and SDG 5.2. Additionally, the lawsuit accuses the Blackhawks of covering up the player’s complaint, suggesting a lack of access to justice and transparency within the institution, which relates to the targets of SDG 16.3 and SDG 16.6.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of reported cases of sexual abuse and harassment within sports organizations.
• Number of investigations conducted into allegations of workplace misconduct.
• Level of transparency and accountability in the response of organizations to complaints.

The article does not provide specific indicators, but potential indicators to measure progress towards the identified targets could include the number of reported cases of sexual abuse and harassment within sports organizations, the number of investigations conducted into allegations of workplace misconduct, and the level of transparency and accountability in the response of organizations to complaints.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: abc7chicago.com

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